Wave guide switch and actuator therefor



Aug. 8, 1961 C. F. SCHUNEMANN EI'AL WAVE GUIDE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1955 a ima 6% Q mi "My, a; a I

' c. F. SCHUNEMANN EI'AL 2,995,716 nvs cums swucn AND ACTUATOR THEREFOR 3 Sheen-Shut 3 Find Nov. 21, 1955 aria AE- Mqfgzzea Carl F fiaimezmm y 6ea 1 Ly United States Patent WAVE GUIDE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR THEREFOR Carl F. Schunemann, Euclid, George E. Jacques, Independence, and Jack A. Wylie, Garfield Heights, Ohio, 1 assignors to Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc., a cor- 'poration of Ohio Filed Nov. 21, 1955, Ser. No. 547,908

8 Claims. (Cl. 333-7) wave guide channel into selective communication with either channel of a pair of wave guide channels. The switch is effective not only to so interconnect the first channel with either channel of the other pair of channels but to be efiiciently operative through a wide range of frequencies.

For these purposes, the switch mechanism is provided with a housing assembly with at least three channels therein in a T relation to each other and a sliding shuttle memberwhereby the leg of the T may be placed into communication with either of the arms of the T. To

. provide for awide range of frequencies through which the switch will be efiiciently operative, at the junction of the arms and legs, the housing is arcuately shaped to provide a pair'of convex faces while the shuttle projects into the leg channel and is provided with a pair of concave faces.

ice

fully and completely disclosed as a part of this specification, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a switch control mechanism and system and actuator therefor embodying the principles of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the unit of FIGURE 1 and is viewed as taken substantially along the line II-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken as viewed substantially along the line IIIIII of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken as viewed sub-' stantially along the line IV-IV of FIGURE 2;

the actuator motor drive for the lever and the shuttle includes a pair of oppositely biased springs which preload the shuttle at either of its extreme positions whereby such deleterious effects as cross talk or the like are limited.

Still another feature of this invention is the inclusion in the actuator mechanism and control system of a switch ing system which is effective to cause only momentary energization of the reversible motor and to thereafter short the motor for dynamic braking of movement of the shuttle at the end of which movement of the shuttle the switch system is effective to prepare the circuit for energization of the reversible motor in an opposite direction. This feature of the invention is effected through the utilization of a slide bar which is moved slightly at the end of the movement of the shuttle and which is effective'. to operate a pair of switches such as normally closed single pole double throw microswitches.

It is, therefore, evident that another important object and feature of the present invention is to provide a new and improved switch actuator mechanism and control system.

Still other objects, features and advantages will become readily. apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention and an embodiment thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings in which each and every detail illustrated and shown is FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken as viewed substantially along the line VV of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURES 6. 7 and 8 are schematic illustrations of the system of the actuator illustrating different conditions thereof.

As shown'on the drawings:

A wave guide switch and actuator embodying the prin-' ciples of this invention may be a self-contained integral structure such as the assembly 10 wherein a wave guide switch 11 is assembled with an actuator 12' which controllably reversibly actuatcs the switch 11 for controlled communication between a first wave guide passage and either wave guide passages of a pair thereof.

The switch 11 forming the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described here is formed by a pair of plates 14 and 15 secured in spaced parallel arrangement by a pair of blocks 16 and 17 and a mounting block 18 which is also secured to the plates 14 and 15 and disposed therebetween. Between the plates 14 and 15, the blocks 16, 17 and 18 form T-shaped channel including a leg channel 19 between the blocks 16 and 17 and a pair of arm channels 20 and 21 respectively between the blocks 16 and 18 and between the blocks 17 and 18.

Since the blocks are coextensive with the plates =14 and.

with the switch in such a manner that'the leg and each of the arm channels 19, 20 and 21 within the switch may individually be in communication with a wave guide. For example, the leg channel 19 may be coupled to a radar receiving and detection system while each of the channels 20 and 21 may be connected to radar antenna assemblies respectively differing from each other. In such an arrangement it is desirable to be able to switch the receiver and detector to either of the antennas respectively connected through wave guides coupled to the arm channels 20 and 21.

To this end, the switch is provided with a laterally shiftable switching shuttle block 23 controllably movable between positions defining continuity and communication between the channels 19 and 20 closing off the channel 21, as illustrated by .the dashed shuttle block outline 24, and a position for continuity and communication between the channels 19 and 21 closing off the channel 20 as illustrated by the dashed shuttle block outline 25 (FIG. 4). Thus, when the shuttle block is in the position indicated by the dash line 24, there is continuous wave guide communication between the channels 19 and 20 and lateral movement of the shuttle block 23 to a position where it closes against the block 16 will close off the arm channel 20 and provide continuous wave guide communication between the leg channel 19 and the leg channel 21.

In order that the switch may have maximum utility and Patented Aug. 8, I961 .figurated as at 26 and 27, respectively, and formed with ZCOHVCX faces, respectively. At the same time, the channel :defining faces 28 and 29 of the shuttle 23 are also arcu- .ately formed and open concavely into the switch channels *in such a manner that the arcuate face 28 is moreor less concentric with the convex face 26 on the block 16 when the shuttle is-in the-position 24 defining continuity between the channels 19 and 20, and the face 29 is more or less concentric with the face 27 of the block 17 when the shuttle 23 is in a position defining continuity and com- :munication .between the channels 19 and 21. These arcuate faces'28 and 29 on the shuttle block 23 cause the shuttle block to be more or less isometrically triangular in plan configuration or in cross section such as viewed 'in FIGURE 4. Further, the thickness of the shuttle 23 is substantially equal to the thickness of the blocks 16, 17 and 18 but is just slightly smaller than those blocks whereby it may be laterally slidingly moved along-the inner face 30 of the block 18 and between the inner 'faces 31 and 32 of the plates 14 and 15. Additionally,

rollers 33 journalled in the block 18 engage the back slidingfaoe 34 of the shuttle 23 to facilitate movement of positively preloading the shuttle as described, the closed off arm channels of the switch arepositively closed otf, respectively, thereby preventing any intercommunication between the arm channels =and 21 when the switch is in either of its switch positions and any possibilities of garbled cross talk feeding into the channel 19 is positively prevented. Also, should the switch be used to transmit energy from the channel 19 into. either the channel 20 or 21, then the springs 65 and .66'will so bias the shuttle that the shuttle 23 and substantially reduce friction between the faces and 34 of the block 18 and shuttle 23,

respectively.

Movement ofthe shuttle 23 between the switch positions'24 and 25 is effected by translational movement transmitted thereto through a pin 35 extending'through slots 36 and 37 in the block 18 and threadably secured to the shuttle 23 asprovided for by threaded recess 38 in the back of the shuttle 23 and a threaded .end 39 on the inner end of-the pin 35. At the outer endof the pin 35 a "head 40 thereon bearsagainst aresilient spring ring 41 which in turn resiliently bears against a block 42 journal- .ling rollers 43'riding in tracks 44 on the back face of the block 18 whereby translational movement of the. shuttle .23 is permitted with a minimum of friction or other mechanical drag orother sources of hysteresis, and the ;shuttle -23-is tightly held against the rolls 33 and the block 18 by action of the spring 41 acting .against the head 40 on the pin 35 to urge the same resiliently as described.

Translational movement of the shuttle 23 between its switching positions 24 and 25 is effected by translational movement transmitted thereto through the pin 35 by a pivoted lever 45 journalled on a screw pin 46 threaded into the plate 15, as at 47 and extending through a slot 48 in the laterally central and rearward portion of the plate 15. :This slot 48 mates with a slot 49 in the block 18 whereby pivotal movement of the lever 45 is accommodated. The

lever 45 has a bifurcated end portion 50 with legs 51 and 52 receiving the pin 35 therebetween whereby pivotal 'movement of the lever 45 is transformed into lateral translational movement of the pin 35 and the shuttle 23 -as well as the block 42. I p At the opposite end of the lever 45 from the bifurcated end 50, the lever is provided with a gear-like portion 53 having teeth 54 in gear coupling connection with teeth .encased in a housing 62 to which it is secured and which housing 62 is in turn secured to the base plate 63. The side mounting plates '59, 60, and 61 as well as the bracket :bar 64 a'resecured'tothe plate 15 of the switch mechanism whereby the assembly is unified as an integral switch and .aactuator 10.

To avoid cross talk and other similar disturbances and 21 and the channel 20, a pair of preloading spring elements 65 and 66 are mounted on the output end 61 of the motor to prevent any intercommunication between the channel the wave guide channel 19 will not be loadedbyfeeding into both the-channels 20 and 21' simultaneously.

For purposes hereinafter described in detail in conjunction with .the operating characteristics and electrical system of the actuator, a slide .bar 67 is mounted on the back of the block 18 by a pair of screws 68 extending through slots 69 inthe slide bar 67 and threaded into the block 18. The slide bar 67-is'substantially U-shaped with the slot 69 being in the bight portion of the block and the arms 70 and 71 thereof extending upwardly to be laterally extensive with the block 42. Additionally, for purposes hereinafter describedyeach of the arms 70 and 71 of the slide bar'67 have adjusting screws 72 and 73 respectively-threaded .laterally inwardly therethrough toward the block 42 for engagement-therewith as the block moves lateral-1y between the switch positions for'the shuttle '23.

The lower face 74 of the bight-portion of the slide bar 67 is slopedupwardly at the lateral extremities thereof to provide a pair of slant faces 75 and .76 upon which rollers 77 and 78 ride. These rollers 77 and 78 are operative as cam followers on theslant faces 75 and 76 and are attached to' resilient switch actuator arms 79 and 80, respectively resiliently urging the follower elements 77 and 78 against the slant faces 75 and'76 of the slide block 67. These switch actuating arms 79 and 80 are respectively attached to microswitches-81 and 82 and are positioned to actuate the switches upon movement of the slide bar 67 through following of the cam or slant faces 75 and 76. Each of the microswitches 81 and 82, as hereinafter described, are preferably single pole double throw switches which are biased in'one direction, a normally closed direction and movable by depression of pins or buttons 81 and 82', respectively, to their alternate pole positions or open positions. The expressions normally closed" and open" utilized herein to describe positions for the single pole double throw microswitches 81 and 82 are utilized to describe those positions of the microswitches where the microswitch is closed in the direction 111 which it is biased, andclosed in the position against the biasing of switches, respectivelyl' That is, the normally closed'position of the'microswit ches is the-position in which the switch is closed in' the direction in which it is biased, while the "open" position of the switches is thejunction with the following detaildescription of thezoperating character of the actuator for-the switch in conjunction with the schematic diagrams of FIGURES 6,7 and 8 wherein the switches 81 and82 are'illustrated as having their switch arms 81a and 82a, respectively, biased towards terminals 81b and 82b, respectively, 'and'away from terminals 81c and 82c, "respectively. Thus,"whenfree or normally closed switch arm 81a is in contact with the terminal 81b and. the'switchzarm 82a is incontact with the terminal 82b. When open the switch arm 81a is in contact with the terminal 81c and the switch arm 82a is in connection with the terminal 820.

s In FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 it is also shown that the reversible motor 58 is electrically connected through leads 83 and 84 to the-switch arms.8la and 82a, respectively. Further, the switch terminals 81b and 82b are connected together orshorted together through a lead 85 also 'connected to one end:of a source of electrical energy indicated generally at 86. The other end of the source of electrical energy is connected to the switch arm 87 of a single pole double throw switch 88 having a pair of throw terminals 89 and 90,'respectively connected to the terminals-82c and'8lc of the microswitches 82 and 81, respectively.

Asthewave guide switch and actuator and control system therefor is illustrated in FIGURE 6, the shuttle lock'23 is in a left hand position along with the block 42 and shuttle pin 35. In such position, the block 42 has engaged the screw-or pin 72'on the arm '70 of the slide bar 67 whereby the-slide bar '67 has moved to the left by Slidingthe same with the Pins 68in the slot 69, and as illustrated in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 as well as in FIGURES 2 and 3, resilient spring rings 68a hold the slide 'bar:67.'against the block its-resiliently. In'this left hand position of the slide bar-:67, the switch'tll'is open and the switch 82 is closed. That is, the switch arm 81a in connection with'the terminal 810 while the switch arm 82a is in connection=with the terminal 82b-by virtue of'the followers 77 and'78 having ridden downwardly and upwardly, respectively, on 'the slant "faces '75 and 76 of the slide bar-67. -At'this time,'the motor 58 is also de-energized since the circuit therefor is open and the switch arm 87 is inthe'position indicated by the dash line 87a so that it is in connection with the terminal 89 on the switch 88. To switch the wave guide switch to itsright hand position, that is to'mo've the shuttle 23, the bloek-42 and the shuttle-pin 35 to the 'right, the switch arm-87 "of'the switch 88 is thrown to a position in connection with the terminal 90 whereby the circuit .for the motor 58 is closed through the switch 82 which is in its normally closed position, through the lead 84, the motor -'58, the lead 83, the switch 81 which is in its open position with the arm 81a in contact with the terminal 81:, and the source of electric energy supply 86. This energization of the motor 58 will move the shuttle members including the block 42 to the right. Upon disengagement of the block 42 from the pin 72 on the.lcft arm 70 of the slide bar 67, the slide ba 67 will remain imposition held fixed by springs 6811. As the block 42 travels across to the right no change in circuitry occurs until the block 42 engages the pin 73 on the right arm 71 of the slide bar 67. At that time, the

slide bar '67 will he moved positively to the right thereby throwing the switch 81 to its normally closed position 81a as shown in FIGURE 7.

With both of the switches in their'normally closed position, the motor 58 is short circuited through the lead 85 and a dynamic braking of the motor takes place. The shuttle elements, however, are carried over to the right hand position by the momentum of the shuttle elements and the kinetic energy of the motor 58. In FIGURE 7 it is clearly seen that the motor 58 is short circuited through the lead 83, the switch 81, the lead 8S,the switch '82, and the lead 84 for dynamic braking when the shuttle 67 has so moved that the switches 81 and 82 have their arms "Bill and 82a in the normally closed positions in engagement and electrical .contact with the terminals-81b and 821) short circuited together through the lead 85. Atsuch time, the position of the switch arm 87 on the switch88 is .wholly immaterial, but it will be noted that the switch .arm 87 will remain in its contact with the terminal '90 of the switch as in'dicated'at -87'-in FIG- .URE'V.

When the shuttle moves fully to its right-hand posi- '6 tion, as illustrated in'FIGURE 8, the block442rduring' its last increment of movement, will-engage'the"pin'73rto move the slide bar 67 fully to the right-thereby pausing the follower 78 to ride on the-slant'surface oracam surface 76 to operate through thet'ollower arm 80'to-move the switch 82 to its open" position wherethe..arm 82a is in contact with the terminal 82c, 'Ihis'willpreparethe circuit for reactuation and energization to move' the wave guide switch to its left position.

Now, to move the switch to'its-left position 'the switch arm 87 is thrown from theposition87' in-'engagement' with the terminal to -the'position shown therefor in FIGURE 8 Where it is in engagement with the-terminal 89 thereby closing the circuit'forthe'motorf58'through the lead 83, the switch arm'81a, the terminal 81b, 'the source of electrical energy supply 86, the switch 'arm'87, the terminal --89, the terminal282c,'the switch .arm '82a, and the lead 84. Now the motor-58 will causethe'shuttle elements including the shuttle pin 35 and block 42-10 move toward the left. Upon disengagement of-theblock 42 from the'pin'73-on the'right :arm'71 of'the-zslide-bar 67, the slide bar 67 will remain in position heldfixe'd'by springs 68a. As-the block-.42 travels acrossto'the-left no change in circuitry occurs until'the 'block fliengages the pin"l2 on the left arm 70 of the slide.'bar 67. -At that time. the slide bar'67 willbe moved positively tothe left thereby throwing the switeh--82 toxits' -82beposition as shown in FIGURE 7, and'theadynamic"brakingacircuit is'thereby set up. An instant =later,'as the'slide' bar67 continues its positive "movement to'the left-due to the momentum of the shuttle .elements and theikineticrenergy of the motor 58, the switch '81 issmovedto its' 8lea'position as is shownin-FIGURE 6. "I'hecircuitwilltthen be prepared forenergizationofthe motorStHomovethe shuttle to the right whenthe arm -87-0f the=switchi 88-is moved-from the position 87" to the'position"-87',=or from theposition-shown for the'arm in'FIGURE 8 to therposition shown for the arm'in FIGURE 6.

From the foregoing it will be-readily observed'that there is provided by the'principles 'ofthis inventiona new and improved wave guideswitch and actuator and control therefor and that numerous variationsandmo'difications may be made without.departing frorn'thetrue spirit and scope of the novel concepts and'principles'of this invention. We, therefore, intend to :cover all-such modifications and variations as fall-within the truespirit and scope of the novel concepts and principles "OfIthiS invention We claim as our invention:

1. A wave guide switch and actuator comprising a housing having a leg channeland a'pair of arm :channe'ls therein arranged in a T configuration, a shuttle block in said housing laterally movable between positions-providi'ng communications between said leg channclandzeach of said arm channels selectively, avpair of single-3101c double throw-switches mounted on said housing,:a'-slide bar laterally shiftably mounted:on.-said'housing,means interconnecting saidsiide bar. .and .said switches whereby lateral shifting movement ofsaid slide barelfectsopcration of saidswitches,.means efiective upon'movementuof said shuttle block to shift said slide-"bar, reversible motor means to drive saidshuttle'block'reversibly to'saidpositions selectively, and .a control system including said switches to reversibly energize said motor means, maid control system including means interconnecting switches' to dynamically brake said motormeans after initiation 'of movement of the shuttle block 'andmriorto completion of movement thereof, andmeans connecting .said'switches to the motor means and effective'to'preparethezcontrol system for energization of the motor means in cue-direction following completion of movement thereof inithe other direction.

2. In a wave :guideswitch andactuator,'motortmeans to drive the switch, and "control'meansto reversiblyemrgize the motor means, :said controlmteanseomprisinga dynamic braking-circuit for connection with-- said-motor means, and means responsive to the switch reaching a position in advance of each switching position to connect said dynamic braking circuit with said motor means to automatically dynamically brake the motor means.

3. A wave guide switch and actuator comprising a housing having a leg channel and a pair of arm channels therein arranged in a T configuration, a shuttle block in said housing laterally movable between positions providing communication between said leg channel and each of said arm channels selectively, a pair of single pole double throw microswitches mounted on said homing, said microswitchcs being normally closed for connection with one of the throw positions thereof. a slide bar laterally shiftable mounted on said housing, microswitch operator means coupled to said slide bar, means interconnecting said slide bar, said shuttle block and said switches whereby lateral shifting movement of said shuttle block effects operation of the switches such that one of said switches is open prior to movement of the shuttle block, the other of said switches is open at the conclusion of movement of the shuttle block, and both of said switches are closed during movement of said shuttle block.

4. A wave guide switch and actuator comprising a housing having a leg channel and a pair of arm channels therein arranged in a T configuration, a shuttle block in said housing laterally movable between positions providing communication between said leg channel and each of said arm channels selectively, a pair of single pole double throw microswitches mounted on said housing, said microswitches being normally closed for connection with one of the throw positions thereof, a slide bar laterally shiftably mounted on said housing, microswitch operator means coupled to said slide bar, means interconnecting said slide bar, said shuttle block and said switches whereby lateral shifting movement of said shuttle block effects operation of the switches such that one of said switches is open prior to movement of the shuttle block, the other of said switches is open at the conclusion of movement of the shuttle block, and both of said switches are closed during movement of said shuttle block, and a control system including said switches to reversibly encrgize said motor means.

5. A switch comprising a switch member, means mounting said switch member for linear reciprocating movement between two switching positions, rotary riving means rotatable in respective opposite directions for moving said switch member between said switching positions, energizing circuit means for applying voltage of reversible polarity to said rotary driving means, switch contact means controlling energization of said driving means as it moves said switch member from each switching position to the other switching position, switch actuating means for actuating said switch contact means to deencrgize said driving means upon movement of said switch actuating means from a first position to a second position, said switch actuating means being movable from said second position to a third position while maintaining said switch contact means in actuated condition and said driving means deenergizcd, means for coupling said driving means with said switch actuating means for moving said switch actuating means from said first position to said second position as said switch member approaches said other switching position for actuating said switch contact means to deenergize said driving means, the driving means having sufficient momentum to move said switch member to said other'switching position and to move said switch actuating means to said third position, and means responsive to the switch actuating means reaching said third position for reversing the polarity of said energizing circuit means to produce rotation of the rotary driving means in the opposite direction when said driving means is next energized.

6. A switch comprising a switch member, means mounting said switch member for movement between two switching positions, rotary driving means rotatable in respective opposite-directions for moving said switch member from one switching position to the other switching position and from said other switching position to said one switching position, energizing circuit means for applying voltage of reversible polarity to said rotary driving means, switch contact means controlling encrgization of said driving means as it moves said switch member toward said other sit/itching position, switch actuating means for actuating said switch contact means upon movement of said actuating means from a first position to a second position, said switch actuating means being movable from said second position to a third position while maintaining said switch contact means in actuated condition, means for coupling said driving means with said switch actuating means for moving said switch actuating means from said first position to said second position as said switch member approaches said other switching position for actuating said switch contact means to deenergize said driving means, retarding means for said driving means operative to oppose the momentum of said driving means, the driving means when subjected to said retarding means still having sutficient momentum to move said switch member to said other switching position and to move said switch actuating means to said third position, means responsive to said switch actuating means reaching second position to actuate said retarding means, and means responsive to the switch actuating means reaching said third position for reversing the polarity of said energizing circuit means for said driving means to move said switch member toward said one position when said driving means is next energized.

7. A switch comprising a switch member. means mounting said switch member for linear reciprocating movement between two switching positions, reversible rotary driving means for rotational movement in opposite directions to move said switch member toward its respective switching positions, means providing a drive train for coupling said rotary driving means to said switch member, said drive train comprising means for translating rotary movement of said rotary driving means into linear movement of said switch member, bilateral resilient means interposed in said drive train having two sections one active in each of the respective opposite directions of rotation of said rotary drive means, and means responsive to the switch member reaching a position in advance of the switching position toward which it is being moved to deencrgize said rotary driving means. the rotary driving means having snfiicicnt momentum Iv thereafter move the switch member to the switching position and to itself move still further to resiliently tension the corresponding section of said resilient means for resiliently urging the switch member into its switching position.

8. A wave guide switch and actuator comprising a housing having a leg channel and a pair of arm channels therein arranged in a T configuration, a shuttle block in said housing laterally movable between positions providing communication between said leg channel and each of said arm channels selectively, a slide bar lateraily shiftably mounted in said housing for movement from a first position through a second position to a third position as said shuttle block is moved from one switching position to a. second switching position, reversible motor means for driving said shuttle block from its first position to said second position and from said second position to said first position, means for coupling'said motor means with said slide bar when said shuttie block is still in advance ofv said second switching position thereof to drive said slide bar from its first position through its second position to its third position as said shuttle block moves to said second switching position, means responsive to the slide bar reaching said second position for substantinlly diminishing the driving force exerted on said shuttle block by said motor means, and means responsive to the slide bar reaching said third position to condition said motor means for energization in the opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,936,572 Carroll et a1 Nov. 28, 1933 10 Coggeshall et a1. Jan. 5, 1943 Krogh May 30, 1950 Miller Mar. 11, 1952 Dyke et al. Feb. 17, 1953 Price May 5, 1953 Robison et a] Mar. 18, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS France Nov. 3, 1954 

